“Getting lost is one of the most frightening experiences a person can have.”
There are worse things, but it does make certain individuals quite scared until figuring out a definite location.
Growing up in a rural community delivering groceries, homes of everybody in town were known. Every street and alley were remembered from daily travel for two decades, so wasn’t ever lost.
First time lost was after the state fair best-groomed boy contest trying to find the car in the parking lot. Details aren’t remembered, but somehow the 16-year-old country kid got back home in the same vehicle he’d come in.
Returning in the night from a Kansas Livestock Association convention at Wichita, the wrong exit was taken. Driver was lost driving who knows where until main highway was located and got back home safe again.
Judging horseshows in 20 states, many required airflights, and airports are an easy place to get lost. Being at the right takeoff gate at the right time always seemed an issue.
Upon destination arrival, it was much better if driven to motel and arena by show management. Driving a rented car in big cities is proven way for a country boy to get lost.
Worst time was being lost in Boston, Massachusetts, going over the toll bridge five times before getting to the motel. How there were enough quarters in the pocket to throw in the toll baskets could have only been God’s graces.
Returning from Seattle, Washington, the airport just couldn’t be found in the middle of the night. Calls to show managers seeking directions were no help. Eventually airport was found with a fast run to the gate just as closing.
Perry, Georgia, airport is bigger than many others, always getting lost for a while. Writing down exact location where car was parked at airport relieved pressures when returning home.
Rounding up cattle in four section pastures can be intimidating for wannabe cowboys with grass and skyline in every direction. “Just keep riding and there’ll be a fence someplace.”
Even been lost in the shopping mall parking lot, but never lost permanently, although have nightmares of such.
It’s not a completely unique trait. Mazeophobia is the scientific name for the fear of being lost.
Reminded of Psalm 36:6: “God’s love in his largeness nothing gets lost permanently.”
+++ALLELUIA+++
XVI–43–10-23-2022